Open A Lighthouse Away From Sea

"It's tiring to get the fires to shut up. They're constantly saying stupid things like burn that thing there and let us out. You ever cook chicken parm in the morning, and then the stove tells you that you should be using more heat even if the recipe says otherwise? It's not very... fun. I'd describe it as having a roommate. Except they don't ever leave the room and keep complaining, and you're the room."

Adelaida considered for a moment. Her tiredness had nothing to do at all with the tragedy of the past, as far as she could tell. Inside, she felt some guilt over not feeling a thing for the loss. Almost as if the fire burned away a part of her heart.

"My parents weren't horrible, and I'm not happy about the incident. I just don't get why I'm not sad, or don't have any nostalgia... or guilt... I mean, I did do them in. But thinking back on it feels like me thinking about yesterday's breakfast. Nothing there..."

"Maybe. I can't look into people on any level other than psychological, and as much as I'd like to do that movie thing where they take one look at you and tell you your secret fears, I'm still studying. You think fire has a mind of its own? I did get indications that maybe I have some sort of disorder and the fires aren't actually speaking to me... but..."

"How about you? You're remarkably well-guarded. Seems like you don't let anything slip through the cracks," Adelaida asked. This companion of hers had full control of more than the conversation, the way it looked. There was obviously much more she wanted to say, or at least much more in her head.

Though much like with her fires, this companion was keeping everything on leash.

Adelaida began to manipulate fires from her fingertips. She let it shimmer in multiple colors, from one end of the spectrum to the other, and then finally die out.

"So much hidden... so much energy keeping things in control. Sometimes I think I should just... let loose."

"Why do you need to be so guarded? We're two strangers in the night, and any secret you may have is worthless if I don't know your name... without a name, you cannot be found. You ever read that one quote? Fear names. Names have power in identity. Others can use names as weapons. Names are a hook that can be used to track you ... Remain nameless, and you shall be safe."

Adelaida knew there wasn't much she could do to convince this person to speak up, nor did she honestly care too much about whether or not she would speak more. But at the same time, she couldn't fully appreciate that there was such a shield between, feeling that it defeated the purpose of their tryst.

She decided to prod a little.

"What can there be, that is so fragile that a single rumor can bring it low?"

"For what it's worth, you're free to let anything out here... your secret's safe with this stranger. Feel free to gush about whoever it is you're dating, okay?"

This companion was leading an entirely different life than Adelaida, and it gave her pause. She'd never had anything in life that was worth pursuing, even against the world's judgement. Except maybe the experiment that made her flame. And now, more than a decade since that success, she still had no direction.

"I'm kinda envious, if I'm being honest. Following your heart... it's so romantic. Difficult, I'm guessing, but to love something, someone despite everyone's disapproval... I kinda want to have anything I cared for that much, you feel me?"

Adelaida listened. She had no such emotional connections to... anyone, now that she thought of it. Her life was devoid of the flame of passion, filled as it was with real flame. There was little outright happiness within, nor sadness. It was just a hollow feeling, occasionally lit up by fire.

She wanted some connection to something, to someone, to feel that there was more to life than keeping the fire in.

As controlled as she normally was, Adelaida let some of her emptiness out into the voice she spoke in. "Sounds like a beautiful thing you have going. You know, I'd ask for more details... it's always nice to sort of vicariously feel through other people's happy times and sad times."